ARS | Publication request: EFFECTS OF ULTRA-HIGH PLANT POPULATIONS AND N-FERTILITY ON MYCOTOXINS IN CORN

Submitted to: Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 31, 2003
Publication Date: February 20, 2004
Citation: Bruns, H.A., Abbas, H.K. 2004. Effects of ultra-high plant populations and n-fertility on mycotoxins in corn. Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop Proceedings.

Technical Abstract: Stress caused by excessive plant populations and low N-fertility can lower grain yields and increase mycotoxin contamination in corn. Irrigated corn was grown at populations of 69,000, 79,000, 89,000, and 99,000 plants ha-1 in both 102 cm and 76 cm row spacings at Stoneville, MS. Nitrogen fertility treatments included 112 kg N ha-1 pre-plant only, 224 kg N ha-1 preplant only, and 112 kg N ha-1 pre-plant plus 112 kg N ha-1 at GS V6. Grain yields were unaffected by population increases in the 102 cm row spacing and tended to decline with increasing populations in the 76 cm row spacing. Yields were lowest in the 76 cm spacing with the 112 kg N ha-1 pre-plant only fertility treatment. Both aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination levels were lower at the high N-fertility treatments than at the 112 kg N ha-1 pre-plant only treatment. Aflatoxin and fumonisin levels tended to increase with increasing plant populations.